HOW DO YOU APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE?

You must sign a statement naming (or in other words "appointing") your representative. We have an "Appointment of Representative" form that you can use. You can obtain it online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-1696.pdf or call us and ask for Form SSA-1696.

Your representative does not have to be a lawyer, but he or she must have certain qualifications. For example, attorneys must be licensed and all others must have good character and skills to help you. Also, the representative cannot be someone who is disqualified or suspended from representing individuals before us or is prohibited by law from acting as a representative.

An appointedrepresentative's duties are different from those of a representative payee's.

We will not use minor children age 18 as interpreters when dealing with
difficult issues, unless they are qualified and you request that we do so.

IF YOU ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

You may provide your own sign language interpreter, at no cost to us.

If you prefer, we will provide you with a sign language interpreter, if needed, at no cost to you.

IF YOU THINK YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE

If you do not have a representative and we denied your case, we will give you a list of legal referral services, legal service organizations (for example, local bar associations, legal aid societies, legal service corporations, and law schools with legal aid programs), and community organizations in your area that may represent you or help you find a representative at no charge.

The representative you appoint may not charge you a fee that is more than the amount we authorize.

If you are age 65 or over, or a child under age 18, we will ask for proof of your age (unless you already receive Social Security benefits). If you are under age 18 and living with your parent(s), or if you are married and living with your spouse, we will also ask about their income and resources.

If you are applying because you are disabled or blind, we will complete a disability report. We will ask about your health problems, your treatment history, and how your health problems affect your daily activities.

We will also ask for all of your medical records from medical sources and request authorization from you to obtain those records. You can also bring copies of your medical records to the office at the time of your interview or mail them to us after your application.

If you are filing for a child, you can complete the Child Disability Report online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/childdisabilityreport.

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) website contains links to websites not affiliated with the United States government. These may include State and Local governmental agencies, international agencies, and private entities.

SSA cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by such websites. If we provide a link to such a website, this does not constitute an endorsement by SSA or any of its employees of the information or products presented on the non-SSA website.

Also, such websites are not within our control and may not follow the same privacy, security or accessibility policies. Once you visit such a website, you are subject to the policies of that site.